WOODBRIDGE, NJ: The golden era of Indian music from the year 1950 to 1980 will never come back but the songs recorded during that period will remain in the minds of people for another 50 to 100 years, said well-known singer Bankim Pathak who is also called the “Voice of Rafi”.
In a candid interview with this correspondent before an enchanting musical evening at the Woodbridge High school here, Bankim when asked about his reaction for the modern cult of remix music said, “remix has emerged because there is dearth of good new music and people want the music of those golden era and because the present day music directors cannot deliver that golden touch, hence remix has emerged”.
When asked why he chose to sing only songs by Rafi Saheb, he explained saying, “My voice suits that of Rafi sahib. It is not that I do not sing songs from other legendary singers but I always prefer Rafi over others when doing professional shows. So far I have done over 4500 professional shows spanning over 40 years of my singing”.
In reply to a question about his opinion about the new breed of singers and their versatility, Bankim Pathak said, “they all are good but there is no melody in their singing and hence their life span is so low. Besides that there are no good compositions also coming up these days.
How do you expect a melodious song and good composition in an action-packed movie” he asked.
“Unfortunately today it is all computerized. With the help of computer all sur can be managed. During days of Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar, it was their versatility in singing that enhanced the music and the song. It was their relentless pursuit of perfection that those melodious songs were recorded and only melody can give an everlasting music”, he exclaimed.
Asked about the musical reality shows being shown on TV these days, Bankim Pathak said, “no doubt it gives a good platform to the younger generation but it is so unfortunate that the judges who sit on the panel of these shows are upcoming music directors and want to ensure that songs composed by them only are sung. In the earlier days of Sare Gama Pa, the contestants chose to sing the old songs but later the contestants and TV shows were forced by these new music directors to sing new songs as otherwise there were no takers for their new music songs”.
Bankim Pathak was also skeptical of the results of these musical reality shows. He said it all depends on how well connected and famous are the parents and relatives of a contestant. If the parents are well connected they can ask all their friends and family members to send their SMS for a particular candidate and if a parent was not very well known a deserving contestant may lose out. There is every possibility that a good upcoming artist may not get justice due to this anomaly. As a result of this a new artist may get frustrated.”
Asked to comment on the children of second generation Indians settled in the United States and if he had any advice for them, Bankim Pathak said, “singing is an excellent profession, it has name and fame but to achieve that children must have patience. It is not instant; one has to work hard for that.”
“There is never going to be another Mohammed Rafi or Mukesh or Kishore Kumar. There will never be their replacement so it is time for us to preserve what we have and relish it. Most parents try to imbibe the golden era moments in their children’s life but it is up to them to digest it and relive those golden songs”.
Later, on a dull rain-drenched evening legendary singer Mohammed Rafi came alive albeit through Bankim Pathak who had hundreds of fans of Rafi Saheb dance to his melodious songs from films of yesteryears. It was a night that most New Jerseyans will not forget so easily.
Ek Yaad Rafi ke Baad, organized by A & K Events of Kaushal Thakkar and Natwer Thakkar in association with Manpasand Inc. had the crowd on its feet when Bankim Pathak along with Daksha Gohil and Anila Gohil rendered one hit song after another to bring the audience craving for more and more of those immortal songs sung by Rafi.
Pathak along with Daksha and Anila Gohil took the audience back memory lane with some of the most memorable songs from films of yesteryears. While Bankim Pathak sang some of the hot favorites of Rafi like “Yaad na aye bite dino ke”, “Khoya, Khoya Chand” “Jan kabhie Tum bulaoge”, Baharoein phool barsao”.
On the other hand Daksha and Anila Gohil sang all-time hits “Chura Liya hai”, “Jab Pyar Kiya to Darna Kiya”, “Java hai mohabattein” and some of the duets included “Oh hasina julfo wali”, Sou sal pehle” etc. The list of the songs is just endless like the hits rendered by Mohammed Rafi.
Sudhir Vyas
